New York Jets: 3 Keys to beating Patriots in Week 12
The New York Jets face long-time rival New England this Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Here are three keys to victory for Gang Green.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It’s that time of the year again – the initial matchup of the 2018 campaign between the New York Jets and New England Patriots. Gang Green (3-7) enters the battle having lost four straight games to the Pats — their last victory was on Dec. 27, 2015 when they came away with a thrilling 26-20 win in overtime at the Meadowlands. New England leads the overall series between these former AFL rivals, 63-54-1.
The green and white will be without rookie quarterback Sam Darnold (foot). It will be the second consecutive contest that the USC product has missed due to injury. Veteran Josh McCown gets the nod again as the starting signal-caller.
So how can the Jets beat New England (7-3) this Sunday? The Patriots are listed as 10-point favorites, per oddsshark.com. Here are three keys to an upset victory for Gang Green.
1. Move Tom Brady off his spot
His spot is his place in the pocket where he can set and throw comfortably. The GOAT has been off his game lately with just one touchdown pass in his last three contests. He’s averaging 7.4 yards per attempt, his lowest average since 2014. With that being said, the 41-year old Brady has tossed 17 touchdown passes but he also has seven interceptions this season.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
If tight end Rob Gronkowski (ankle, back) can play, it will give the Patriots a huge boost. Gronkowski is averaging 64 yards receiving per contest but he has tallied just one touchdown this season.
The Jets need to disrupt Brady’s rhythm, make him move in the pocket, get happy feet. He’s a statue back there so New York has to pressure him, especially up the middle via the A-Gap. Leonard Williams (25 tackles, three sacks) has to kick up his game a notch (or two) and exert a pass rush that makes Brady hurry his throws. Otherwise, the future Hall of Famer will pick the Jets apart — like he usually does.
2. Establish a solid ground and pound game
The Jets will really miss Bilal Powell in this battle. Isaiah Crowell (552 rushing yards) and Elijah McGuire will handle the ground attack chores for New York and they must control the clock with a strong rushing attack. The offensive line, mediocre at best this season, needs to finish their blocks and open up some holes at the point of attack.
McGuire is averaging 4.6 yards on 13 carries and will be an important cog catching balls out of the backfield from McCown. The Patriots have allowed over 100 yards rushing in three of their last four outings so Gang Green needs to exploit their linebackers, control the clock and keep New England’s potent offense off the field.
3. The old man must come through
In regular terms, 39 is not old. Just ask Jack Benny. In football terms though, being 39 years old is ancient and that is how old Josh McCown looked in his first game of the season in Week 10 against the Buffalo Bills. To be fair, the affable signal-caller was very rusty, having hardly played even during the preseason. But 135 passing yards and two interceptions? Ouch. That’s brutal.
McCown must perform much better if Gang Green is to stand any chance against the defending AFC champions. The Pats have registered only 15 sacks this season and if Robby Anderson (ankle) can play, McCown may have an opportunity to throw some deep post routes. They seemed to have good chemistry in 2017.
Next. NFL Draft: First-round grades after Week 11. dark
New England’s secondary is below average so this would be a matchup to exploit. Let’s face it, the Jets are in dire need of a true number one receiver this offseason. On a very good team, a healthy Anderson is a WR 3/4. McCown needs Anderson, Quincy Enunwa and Chris Herndon to step up big time this Sunday if they are to pull off a huge upset.